May Day greetings to the labor movement and working people of Iraq
from U.S. labor against the war and its 110 affiliated labor organizations

In the name of peace, freedom and social justice, US Labor against the War sends our greetings to the labor movement and workers of Iraq on May Day.  With great courage, you have begun to reorganize your country's unions, and reclaim the historic traditions of Iraq's labor movement.

You are organizing in the face of very difficult economic conditions, including massive unemployment and extremely low wages, which have been imposed on you by the US/British occupation.  In spite of these difficulties, workers throughout Iraq have organized strikes and demonstrations, and have successfully begun to raise the living standards of working families.

You have opposed the Bush administration plan for the privatization of Iraq's workplaces and resources.  You have called for an end to the US occupation, and for a democratic political process to ensure that Iraq has a government that represents the needs and aspirations of Iraqi workers.  We share these goals.

You have faced extreme violence, and the assassination of your leaders, without succumbing to fear, terror and intimidation.  In the face of all these challenges you have remained courageously resolute in your commitment to a peaceful, democratic and just multi-ethnic, multi-cultural Iraq. You deserve the congratulations and support of unions and workers throughout the world for your efforts.

We are very proud that May Day, the international workers'  holiday, was born in the United States in struggle for the 8-hour day.  Our own country contributed martyrs like Albert Parsons and the murdered labor heroes of Chicago, who died for the same ideals for which you fight today.  We are your brothers and sisters in this struggle  We will redouble our efforts to end the occupation of your country, to achieve full respect for the sovereignty and independence of Iraq, and to support you in your struggle to establish a democratic state with full respect for workers' rights.  We will march beside you, and support your movement, in any way we can.

Long live May Day!  Long live the solidarity between the workers of Iraq and the United States!

30.04.05